Four Daniher brothers to reunite at MCG before Essendon vs. Carlton

Essendon’s King’s Birthday Eve clash with the Blues looks set to grow every year, with 2024 to feature a heartwarming moment pre-game when one of footy’s most famous families reunites.

The four Danihers brothers will reunite at the MCG on Sunday night as Essendon and Carlton – and a crowd of more than 90,000 fans – look to Freeze the ‘G in the fight against motor neurone disease.

Neale Daniher has been the face of the FIGHT MND campaign since being diagnosed with “the beast” – as he calls the disease – almost a decade ago.

He will be joined by his brothers Terry, Anthony and Chris in a pre-game spectacular on Sunday night ahead of the Bombers-Blues’ King’s Birthday Eve clash.

It’s the second year of a timeslot that both clubs want to enshrine in the AFL fixture just as prominently as the traditional Collingwood-Melbourne King’s Birthday ‘Big Freeze’ clash the following day.

Neale and Terry returned to Essendon’s home base at the Hangar on Wednesday to address the Bombers players and staff ahead of their blockbuster clash with the Blues.

The game has already sold out and is forecast to have a crowd of more than 90,000.

Neale Daniher with Essendon football club players at the Hanger ahead of Freeze at the G. Picture: David Caird

If the ‘Freeze the ‘G’ game breaks through the 90,000-barrier on Sunday night, it will be the first time the Bombers have pushed through that figure twice in a season since 2000 – the year of the club’s last premiership.

Asked if he had a message for the Essendon players ahead of a critical game against their old rivals, Neale said: “I will leave the coaching to Brad (Scott) and his coaching team … to the players, it will have a finals-type atmosphere.”

“So what a great opportunity for the club to make a statement in big games.”

Using special computer communication software to communicate his message, Neale said the chance to be a part of such a special moment with his brothers was something that he would cherish.

The last time the siblings gathered as a group on the MCG was at the club’s 150th birthday celebrations in 2022.

“Sunday night will be a real highlight, it sounds like there will be a huge crowd, which really reflects the rise of both teams recently. We hope to see many heads covered with Big Freeze beanies,” Neale said.

The Daniher’s matriarch Edna – who turned 90 this year – will also be there, as well as the boys’ sisters, with youngest son Chris making the trip down from the family farm in Ungarie, New South Wales.

The four Danihers collectively played a total of 752 VFL-AFL matches in careers which spanned Terry’s first year in 1976 (when he was at South Melbourne) to Chris’ final season in 1998.

Essendon’s clash with Carlton will be one of the biggest of the season. Picture: David Caird

But they played only one official AFL game together – back in 1990 – when Essendon took on St Kilda at Moorabbin in what Terry said was a signature moment for the family.

“We are pretty proud of what Jim (their late father, who died in 2019) and Edna have done, they set us on the right track and taught us how to conduct ourselves,” Terry said.

“We hope we have done the right thing. You get tipped over (in life) and you have to get back on the horse and keep going.

“That was their philosophy, and you can see that with Neale and his work (with MND).

“He has rallied up the support. People see him as an inspiration, which is a credit to him, and the way the family have conducted themselves, including Jan (Neale’s wife) and Bec (one of his daughters), who is the spokesperson.”

Terry and Neale joked about which of the pair was the best player, with Terry conceding Neale’s succession of knee injuries stopped him from achieving far more from his 82 games.

Neale famously switched forward in a round 20 game against Carlton in 1981, kicking three late goals to lift the Bombers off the canvas in a remarkable contest.

Neale Daniher. Picture: David Caird

He sadly suffered a serious knee injury the following week and played only 17 more matches – with that famous 1990 game with his brothers being his last.

“I played more football; Neale played less, but he played more ‘better games’ than I did,” said Terry, who went on to captain the Bombers’ 1984-85 flags.

“We had a lot of bloody fun and that’s the main thing.”

Essendon vice-captain Andrew McGrath said the current players were continually inspired by Neale’s words as well as the Daniher deeds in red and black.

“We take a lot of pride in our history at our footy club and we understand the legacy the Daniher brothers have left us,” McGrath said.

“Every time Neale comes to speak to us, you learn something and you leave inspired.

“Hopefully, we can take a bit of that into the game on Sunday, and into our lives.”

Originally published as Four Daniher brothers to reunite at MCG before Essendon vs. Carlton